Gingrich Adds Staff to Aid S.C. Effort

Newt Gingrich, who is hoping to make a strong showing in South Carolina in order to extend his Republican presidential bid, announced on Monday he is greatly expanding his paid staff in this early battleground state. 

In addition to the staffing announcement, the campaign said the Newt 2012 statewide headquarters will be located at 700 Woodruff Road, Suite 6 in Greenville. The official opening will be on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Joining the campaign's grassroots efforts will be Ruth Sherlock and Leslie Gaines of Sherlock and Gaines Consulting Group of Greenville.

"Sherlock worked across the country for the Republican National Committee but is best known for helping elect the first Vietnamese American to the U.S. House in 2008, [Louisiana Rep. Anh "Joseph" Quang Cao]. Gaines is well respected in South Carolina for her fundraising success for several presidential and winning statewide candidates and numerous non-profit organizations," the campaign noted in a press release.

Elsewhere, the statewide team has added a handful of regional directors. Joshua Putnam, the youngest state representative currently serving in South Carolina’s General Assembly will lead the Upstate's grassroots efforts.

DeLinda Ridings, a well-known political operative from Columbia will represent the Midlands. Interestingly, until recently, Ridings had been a state field director for the struggling campaign of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is polling at just one percent in the state. Gingrich, who began the campaign in the back of the pack, has come on strong in recent months. Gingrich has , polling a solid third behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and front-runner Herman Cain

Myrtle Beach Tea Party leader Gerri McDaniel has also joined the team to help organize grassroots efforts in the Pee Dee region. Meanwhile, Chris Horne, another Tea Party veteran, preacher, and Internet marketing expert will lead the effort in Charleston. Also hailing from the Charleston area is Joanne Jones, Vice Chairman of the Charleston Tea Party, who will organize coalitions for the campaign.

The new staffers join current paid state campaign leaders Adam Waldeck, who serves as State Director, and Policy Director Vince Haley.

Adam has worked as the campaign's Coalitions Director and has deep ties into the Tea Party movement and conservative groups. Haley has been Director of Policy for American Solutions and a Research Director for Gingrich at the American Enterprise Institute.